Optimization of a Benzothiazole Indolene Scaffold Targeting Bacterial Cell Wall Assembly.

BACKGROUND: The bacterial cell envelope is comprised of the cell membrane and the cell wall. The bacterial cell wall provides rigidity to the cell and protects the organism from potential harmful substances also. Cell wall biosynthesis is an important physiological process for bacterial survival and thus has been a primary target for the development of antibacterials. Antimicrobial peptides that target bacterial cell wall assembly are abundant and many bind to the essential cell wall precursor molecule Lipid II. METHODS: We describe the structure-to-activity (SAR) relationship of an antimicrobial peptide-derived small molecule 7771-0701 that acts as a novel agent against cell wall biosynthesis. Derivatives of compound 7771-0701 (2-[(1E)-3-[(2E)-5,6-dimethyl-3-(prop-2-en-1-yl)-1,3-benzothiazol-2-ylidene]prop-1-en-1-yl]-1,3,3-trimethylindol-1-ium) were generated by medicinal chemistry guided by Computer-Aided Drug Design and NMR. Derivatives were tested for antibacterial activity and Lipid II binding. RESULTS: Our results show that the N-alkyl moiety is subject to change without affecting functionality and further show the functional importance of the sulfur in the scaffold. The greatest potency against Gram-positive bacteria and Lipid II affinity was achieved by incorporation of a bromide at the R3 position of the benzothiazole ring. CONCLUSION: We identify optimized small molecule benzothiazole indolene scaffolds that bind to Lipid II for further development as antibacterial therapeutics.

Therapeutic compounds targeting Lipid II for antibacterial purposes.

Resistance against commonly used antibiotics has emerged in all bacterial pathogens. In fact, there is no antibiotic currently in clinical use against which resistance has not been reported. In particular, rapidly increasing urbanization in developing nations are sites of major concern. Additionally, the widespread practice by physicians to prescribe antibiotics in cases of viral infections puts selective pressure on antibiotics that still remain effective and it will only be a matter of time before resistance develops on a large scale. The biosynthesis pathway of the bacterial cell wall is well studied and a validated target for the development of antibacterial agents. Cell wall biosynthesis involves two major processes; 1) the biosynthesis of cell wall teichoic acids and 2) the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan. Key molecules in these pathways, including enzymes and precursor molecules are attractive targets for the development of novel antibacterial agents. In this review, we will focus on the major class of natural antibacterial compounds that target the peptidoglycan precursor molecule Lipid II; namely the glycopeptides, including the novel generation of lipoglycopeptides. We will discuss their mechanism-of-action and clinical applications. Further, we will briefly discuss additional peptides that target Lipid II such as the lantibiotic nisin and defensins. We will highlight recent developments and future perspectives.

Optimization of a small-molecule Lipid II binder.

Lipid II is an essential precursor of bacterial cell wall biosynthesis and an attractive target for antibiotics. Lipid II is comprised of specialized lipid (bactoprenol) linked to a hydrophilic head group consisting of a peptidoglycan subunit (N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)-N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) disaccharide coupled to a short pentapeptide moiety) via a pyrophosphate. We previously identified a (E)-2,4-bis(4-bromophenyl)-6-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)pyrylium boron tetrafluoride salt, termed 6jc48-1, that interacts with the MurNAc moiety, the phosphate cage and the isoprenyl tail of Lipid II. Here, we report on the structure-activity relationship of 6jc48-1 derivatives obtained by de novo chemical synthesis. Our results indicate that bacterial killing is positively driven by bi-phenyl stacking with peptidoglycan units. Replacement of bromides by fluorides resulted in activity against S. aureus without affecting Lipid II binding and cytotoxicity. Antibacterial activity was affected negatively by extended interaction of the scaffold with Lipid II isoprenyl units.

Cell adhesion properties of human defensins.

Effector peptides of innate immunity play an important role in host defense. They act directly by inactivating microbes but also link innate to adaptive immunity. A variety of innate immune functions has been described for these peptides, including chemoattraction and cytokine release. In this study, we describe the effect on cell morphology and cell adhesion of human defensins. We find that Human Defensin 5, the major product of specialized gut epithelial cells, causes changes in cell morphology. HD-5 induces cell adhesion, binds to fibronectin and facilitates binding of T cells to intestinal epithelial cells. These effects were found also for a second prominent defensing, termed Human Neutrophil peptide-1, but not for other human defensins.

Neutralization of Pseudomonas auruginosa Exotoxin A by human neutrophil peptide 1.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces a large number of virulence factors, including the extracellular protein, Exotoxin A (ETA). Human Neutrophil Peptide 1 (HNP1) neutralizes the Exotoxin A. HNP1 belongs to the family of α-defensins, small effector peptides of the innate immune system that combat against microbial infections. Neutralization of bacterial toxins such as ETA by HNP1 is a novel biological function in addition to direct killing of bacteria. In this study, we report on the interaction between HNP-1 and Exotoxin A at the molecular level to allow for the design and development of potent antibacterial peptides as alternatives to classical antibiotics.

Effect of a small molecule Lipid II binder on bacterial cell wall stress.

We have recently identified small molecule compounds that act as binders of Lipid II, an essential precursor of bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. Lipid II comprised a hydrophilic head group that includes a peptidoglycan subunit composed of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) coupled to a short pentapeptide moiety. This headgroup is coupled to a long bactoprenol chain via a pyrophosphate group. Here, we report on the cell wall activity relationship of dimethyl-3-methyl(phenyl)amino-ethenylcyclohexylidene-propenyl-3-ethyl-1,3-benzothiazolium iodide (compound 5107930) obtained by functional and genetic analyses. Our results indicate that compounds bind to Lipid II and cause specific upregulation of the vancomycin-resistance associated gene vraX. vraX is implicated in the cell wall stress stimulon that confers glycopeptide resistance. Our small molecule Lipid II inhibitor retained activity against strains of Staphylococcus aureus mutated in genes encoding the cell wall stress stimulon. This suggests the feasibility of developing this new scaffold as a therapeutic agent in view of increasing glycopeptide resistance.

Towards Development of Small Molecule Lipid II Inhibitors as Novel Antibiotics.

Recently we described a novel di-benzene-pyrylium-indolene (BAS00127538) inhibitor of Lipid II. BAS00127538 (1-Methyl-2,4-diphenyl-6-((1E,3E)-3-(1,3,3-trimethylindolin-2-ylidene)prop-1-en-1-yl)pyryl-1-ium) tetrafluoroborate is the first small molecule Lipid II inhibitor and is structurally distinct from natural agents that bind Lipid II, such as vancomycin. Here, we describe the synthesis and biological evaluation of 50 new analogs of BAS00127538 designed to explore the structure-activity relationships of the scaffold. The results of this study indicate an activity map of the scaffold, identifying regions that are critical to cytotoxicity, Lipid II binding and range of anti-bacterial action. One compound, 6jc48-1, showed significantly enhanced drug-like properties compared to BAS00127538. 6jc48-1 has reduced cytotoxicity, while retaining specific Lipid II binding and activity against Enterococcus spp. in vitro and in vivo. Further, this compound showed a markedly improved pharmacokinetic profile with a half-life of over 13 hours upon intravenous and oral administration and was stable in plasma. These results suggest that scaffolds like that of 6jc48-1 can be developed into small molecule antibiotic drugs that target Lipid II.

Functional synergism of Human Defensin 5 and Human Defensin 6.

The gut epithelium is critically involved in maintaining intestinal immune homeostasis. Acting as a physical barrier, it separates the intestinal microflora from cells of the immune system. In addition to its barrier function, the intestinal epithelium expresses defensins, natural, endogenous antimicrobial peptides. In humans, specialized epithelial cells, termed Paneth cells, located primarily in the small intestine express two defensins, Human Defensin-5 (HD-5) and Human Defensin-6 (HD-6). Previously, we have shown that HD-5 potently kills bacteria and induces secretion of interleukin-8 by intestinal epithelial cells. We show that HD-6 specifically and synergistically enhances the HD-5-induced IL-8 secretion, but does not alter its anti-bacterial activity. Further, we find that HD-5 decreases the trans-epithelial electrical resistance of intestinal epithelial cells and that HD-6 negates this effect of HD-5.

A novel small-molecule inhibitor of HIV-1 entry.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV-1 infection into a managed condition with near-normal life expectancy. However, a significant number of patients remain with limited therapeutic options due to HIV-1 resistance, side effects, or drug costs. Further, it is likely that current drugs will not retain efficacy, due to risks of side effects and transmitted resistance. RESULTS: We describe compound 5660386 (3-ethyl-2-[3-(1,3,3-trimethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-ylidene)-1-propen-1-yl]-1,3-benzothiazol-3-ium) as a novel inhibitor of HIV-1 entry. Compound 5660386 inhibits HIV-1 entry in cell lines and primary cells, binds to HIV-1 envelope protein, and inhibits the interaction of GP120 to CD4. Further, compound 5660386 showed a unique and broad-range activity against primary HIV-1 isolates from different subtypes and geographical areas. CONCLUSION: Development of small-molecule entry inhibitors of HIV-1 such as 5660386 may lead to novel classes of anti-HIV-1 therapeutics. These inhibitors may be particularly effective against viruses resistant to current antiretroviral drugs and could have potential applications in both treatment and prevention.

Structure-activity exploration of a small-molecule Lipid II inhibitor.

We have recently identified low-molecular weight compounds that act as inhibitors of Lipid II, an essential precursor of bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. Lipid II comprises specialized lipid (bactoprenol) linked to a hydrophilic head group consisting of a peptidoglycan subunit (N-acetyl glucosamine [GlcNAc]-N-acetyl muramic acid [MurNAc] disaccharide coupled to a short pentapeptide moiety) via a pyrophosphate. One of our lead compounds, a diphenyl-trimethyl indolene pyrylium, termed BAS00127538, interacts with the MurNAc moiety and the isoprenyl tail of Lipid II. Here, we report on the structure-activity relationship of BAS00127538 derivatives obtained by in silico analyses and de novo chemical synthesis. Our results indicate that Lipid II binding and bacterial killing are related to three features: the diphenyl moiety, the indolene moiety, and the positive charge of the pyrylium. Replacement of the pyrylium moiety with an N-methyl pyridinium, which may have importance in stability of the molecule, did not alter Lipid II binding or antibacterial potency.

Efficacy of the small molecule inhibitor of Lipid II BAS00127538 against Acinetobacter baumannii.

OBJECTIVE: To test the activity of a small molecule compound that targets Lipid II against Acinetobacter baumannii. METHODS: Susceptibility to small molecule Lipid II inhibitor BAS00127538 was assessed using carbapenem- and colistin-resistant clinical isolates of A. baumannii. In addition, synergy between colisitin and this compound was assessed. RESULTS: Small molecule Lipid II inhibitor BAS00127538 potently acts against A. baumannii and acts synergistically with colistin. CONCLUSION: For the first time, a compound that targets Lipid II is described that acts against multi-drug resistant isolates of A. baumannii. The synergy with colistin warrants further lead development of BAS00127538.

Functional intersection of Human Defensin 5 with the TNF receptor pathway.

Defensins are cationic antimicrobial peptides that contribute to regulation of host cell function also. Here, we report on the regulation of cell death by Human Defensin 5, the major antimicrobial peptide of ileal Paneth cells. We find that Human Defensin 5-mediated cellular effects depend on functional expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor receptors and downstream mediators of TNF signaling. Our data indicate the involvement of interactions between Human Defensin 5 and the extra-cellular domain of Tumor Necrosis Factor receptor 1. Human Defensin-5 also induces apoptosis intrinsically by targeting the mitochondrial membrane.

Turning defense into offense: defensin mimetics as novel antibiotics targeting lipid II.

We have previously reported on the functional interaction of Lipid II with human alpha-defensins, a class of antimicrobial peptides. Lipid II is an essential precursor for bacterial cell wall biosynthesis and an ideal and validated target for natural antibiotic compounds. Using a combination of structural, functional and in silico analyses, we present here the molecular basis for defensin-Lipid II binding. Based on the complex of Lipid II with Human Neutrophil peptide-1, we could identify and characterize chemically diverse low-molecular weight compounds that mimic the interactions between HNP-1 and Lipid II. Lead compound BAS00127538 was further characterized structurally and functionally; it specifically interacts with the N-acetyl muramic acid moiety and isoprenyl tail of Lipid II, targets cell wall synthesis and was protective in an in vivo model for sepsis. For the first time, we have identified and characterized low molecular weight synthetic compounds that target Lipid II with high specificity and affinity. Optimization of these compounds may allow for their development as novel, next generation therapeutic agents for the treatment of Gram-positive pathogenic infections.

Pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic properties of Human Defensin 5.

Defensins are cationic antimicrobial peptides that play an important role in innate immunity by primarily acting against microbes. Their antimicrobial properties have been widely studied and are well understood. Defensins contribute to regulation of host immunity also. Their effects on cells of the host however are less well understood. Here, we report on the pro-inflammatory and apoptotic properties of Human Defensin 5, the major antimicrobial peptide of ileal Paneth cells. We find that HD-5 up-regulates expression of genes involved in cell survival and inflammation in a NF-kB-dependent fashion in epithelial cells. Further, we find that HD-5 has pro-apoptotic effects on intestinal epithelial cells as well as primary CD4+ T cells.

Functional determinants of human enteric α-defensin HD5: crucial role for hydrophobicity at dimer interface.

Human α-defensins are cationic peptides that self-associate into dimers and higher-order oligomers. They bind protein toxins, such as anthrax lethal factor (LF), and kill bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, among other functions. There are six members of the human α-defensin family: four human neutrophil peptides, including HNP1, and two enteric human defensins, including HD5. We subjected HD5 to comprehensive alanine scanning mutagenesis. We then assayed LF binding by surface plasmon resonance, LF activity by enzyme kinetic inhibition, and antibacterial activity by the virtual colony count assay. Most mutations could be tolerated, resulting in activity comparable with that of wild type HD5. However, the L29A mutation decimated LF binding and bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. A series of unnatural aliphatic and aromatic substitutions at position 29, including aminobutyric acid (Abu) and norleucine (Nle) correlated hydrophobicity with HD5 function. The crystal structure of L29Abu-HD5 depicted decreased hydrophobic contacts at the dimer interface, whereas the Nle-29-HD5 crystal structure depicted a novel mode of dimerization with parallel ß strands. The effect of mutating Leu(29) is similar to that of a C-terminal hydrophobic residue of HNP1, Trp(26). In addition, in order to further clarify the role of dimerization in HD5 function, an obligate monomer was generated by N-methylation of the Glu(21) residue, decreasing LF binding and antibacterial activity against S. aureus. These results further characterize the dimer interface of the α-defensins, revealing a crucial role of hydrophobicity-mediated dimerization.

Sometimes it takes two to tango: contributions of dimerization to functions of human α-defensin HNP1 peptide.

Human myeloid α-defensins called HNPs play multiple roles in innate host defense. The Trp-26 residue of HNP1 was previously shown to contribute importantly to its ability to kill S. aureus, inhibit anthrax lethal factor (LF), bind gp120 of HIV-1, dimerize, and undergo further self-association. To gain additional insights into the functional significance of dimerization, we compared wild type HNP1 to dimerization-impaired, N-methylated HNP1 monomers and to disulfide-tethered obligate HNP1 dimers. The structural effects of these modifications were confirmed by x-ray crystallographic analyses. Like the previously studied W26A mutation, N-methylation of Ile-20 dramatically reduced the ability of HNP1 to kill Staphylococcus aureus, inhibit LF, and bind gp120. Importantly, this modification had minimal effect on the ability of HNP1 to kill Escherichia coli. The W26A and MeIle-20 mutations impaired defensin activity synergistically. N-terminal covalent tethering rescued the ability of W26A-HNP1 to inhibit LF but failed to restore its defective killing of S. aureus. Surface plasmon resonance studies revealed that Trp-26 mediated the association of monomers and canonical dimers of HNP1 to immobilized HNP1, LF, and gp120, and also indicated a possible mode of tetramerization of HNP1 mediated by Ile-20 and Leu-25. This study demonstrates that dimerization contributes to some but not all of the many and varied activities of HNP1.

Functional interaction of human neutrophil peptide-1 with the cell wall precursor lipid II.

Defensins constitute a major class of cationic antimicrobial peptides in mammals and vertebrates, acting as effectors of innate immunity against infectious microorganisms. It is generally accepted that defensins are bactericidal by disrupting the anionic microbial membrane. Here, we provide evidence that membrane activity of human alpha-defensins does not correlate with antibacterial killing. We further show that the alpha-defensin human neutrophil peptide-1 (HNP1) binds to the cell wall precursor lipid II and that reduction of lipid II levels in the bacterial membrane significantly reduces bacterial killing. The interaction between defensins and lipid II suggests the inhibition of cell wall synthesis as a novel antibacterial mechanism of this important class of host defense peptides.

Trp-26 imparts functional versatility to human alpha-defensin HNP1.

We performed a comprehensive alanine scan of human alpha-defensin HNP1 and tested the ability of the resulting analogs to kill Staphylococcus aureus, inhibit anthrax lethal factor, and bind human immunodeficiency virus-1 gp120. By far, the most deleterious mutation for all of these functions was W26A. The activities lost by W26A-HNP1 were restored progressively by replacing W26 with non-coded, straight-chain aliphatic amino acids of increasing chain length. The hydrophobicity of residue 26 also correlated with the ability of the analogs to bind immobilized wild type HNP1 and to undergo further self-association. Thus, the hydrophobicity of residue 26 is not only a key determinant of the direct interactions of HNP1 with target molecules, but it also governs the ability of this peptide to form dimers and more complex quaternary structures at micromolar concentrations. Although all defensin peptides are cationic, their amphipathicity is at least as important as their positive charge in enabling them to participate in innate host defense.

Selective arginines are important for the antibacterial activity and host cell interaction of human alpha-defensin 5.

Defensins constitute a major family of natural antimicrobial peptides that protect the host against microbial invasion. Here, we report on the antibacterial properties and cellular interaction of Human Defensin 5 as a function of its positive charge and hydrophobicity. We find that selective replacement of arginine residues in HD-5 by alanine or charge-neutral lysine residues reduces antibacterial killing as well as host cell interaction. We identify arginines at positions 9 and 28 in the HD-5 sequence as particularly important for its function. Replacement of arginine at position 13 to Histidine, as observed in a Crohn's disease patient, reduced bacterial killing strain-selectively. Finally, we find that HD-5 interacts with host cells via receptor-mediated mechanisms.

Through the looking glass, mechanistic insights from enantiomeric human defensins.

Despite the small size and conserved tertiary structure of defensins, little is known at a molecular level about the basis of their functional versatility. For insight into the mechanism(s) of defensin function, we prepared enantiomeric pairs of four human defensins, HNP1, HNP4, HD5, and HBD2, and studied their killing of bacteria, inhibition of anthrax lethal factor, and binding to HIV-1 gp120. Unstructured HNP1, HD5, and HBD3 and several other human alpha- and beta-defensins were also examined. Crystallographic analysis showed a plane of symmetry that related (L)HNP1 and (D)HNP1 to each other. Either d-enantiomerization or linearization significantly impaired the ability of HNP1 and HD5 to kill Staphylococcus aureus but not Escherichia coli. In contrast, (L)HNP4 and (D)HNP4 were equally bactericidal against both bacteria. d-Enantiomers were generally weaker inhibitors or binders of lethal factor and gp120 than their respective native, all-l forms, although activity differences were modest, particularly for HNP4. A strong correlation existed among these different functions. Our data indicate: (a) that HNP1 and HD5 kill E. coli by a process that is mechanistically distinct from their actions that kill S. aureus and (b) that chiral molecular recognition is not a stringent prerequisite for other functions of these defensins, including their ability to inhibit lethal factor and bind gp120 of HIV-1.